Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
stalls everywhere and the smell of their cooking deliciously hung in the air. How some of
these vendors made a living were beyond me for I came across some who sold recycled
metal objects that were completely rusted.
I went to my first mosque in the edge of the Old City. After taking off my shoes,
I entered as quietly as possible so as not to disturb those in prayer. It was a tranquil place
with a spacious interior and the sound of trickling water echoed throughout. It was another
world away from the hustle and bustle of the markets. The peacefulness reminded me of
some of the quiet cathedrals of Europe except that in the mosque there were no hordes of
tourists talking or taking photographs.
Idecidedtoleavethemosqueandre-enterthenoisymarket.Ilearnedaquicklesson
when shopping though. I had an argument with a waiter who quoted me a price for water
and then when I was about to pay, he raised it. I stood my ground on principle and paid the
lower price. I was also very aware to make sure that when the bottle arrived at my table, it
was I who opened it- not the waiter. Some waiters reuse bottles and simply fill them with
tap water and fake breaking the seal while in front of you. Caveat Emptor holds true no
matter where you are.
A Proud Canadian Moment
I had a 'moment' when I arrived at the Canadian Embassy. Even though I arrived
very early in the morning, there was a long queue formed along the outside wall of the em-
bassycompound.Iwalkedtothegatetoseehowlongthewaitwasandtheguardaskedme
if I was Canadian, to which I replied yes. He then let me by-pass the line. As I passed the
large metal gates, I was shocked to find an equally long line to enter the embassy building
in the compound. Again, I went to the door and was permitted to by-pass the line. Finally,
I entered the building and found the waiting area packed as well. Oddly, this was perhaps
the first time I realized how privileged I was for being a Canadian. I looked at the people
in line as they waited for the opportunity to come to Canada to start a new life. My pass-
port took me from the outside gate to the clerk in less than 2 minutes. It put Canada into
perspective andmyviewsofitchanged:whatarewereallycomplainingabout?Yesweare
taxed to death but our standard of living with its benefits and opportunities greatly out way
any misgivings we may complain about.
Itwasalsogoodtositdownandcatch uponthenewsbackhome.Isatandreadthe
GlobeandMailandsawthattheBlueJaysledtheirdivisionby4games.Joseph,attheem-
bassy was incredibly helpful. He located both the Mauritanian and Senegalese Embassies
in Rabat and typed a letter of introduction in French for me. He had arranged to contact
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